Paper short abstract:

In this post modern, global moment, the study would try to asses the impact of new cognition of coming of age among the tribal girls under the pressure of globalization in respect of their health.

Paper long abstract:

Globalization and the entrenchment of corporate power seems to be an unprecedented opportunity to the indigenous or tribal communities for empowerment as it has made it easier for them to organize, raise funds, and raise awareness for human right abuses and network with other groups around the world. But in reality, as a marginalized group, tribal people have been experiencing it rather as an unprecedented threat by unfavorable exclusion from decision making, commoditization of their culture and unfavorable inclusion in the so called developmental project of the multinationals.

In this era of globalization indigenous concept of health which extends beyond the physical well being of an individual to the spiritual balance and well being of the community as a whole has also been ignored by the global health programmes, plans, projects and policies including initiatives to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. The newer focus on 'Reproductive Child Health' has highlighted that if the health of woman is to be improved; the health of the adolescents must be given high priority. In this context, the present study would like to find out how the indigenous belief, rituals and practices melt with the modern knowledge and ideologies under the pressure of globalization to forge a new cognition of coming of age among the tribal girls. Moreover, the study would also try to asses the impact of this new knowledge of puberty of the tribal girls in respect of their health.